Alpha Study

March 9, 2012

The February 28th meeting of Alpha Study Club was called to order by President Shirley Young at 1:30 p.m. at Gifts of Grace. Shirley thanked hostess Martha Gamble for the surprise gifts of book bags handmade by her which had been placed on chairs for members as they arrived. She opened the meeting with a reading from “Our Iowa”. Fourteen members answered roll call telling of their favorite book they have recently read. The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved. The treasurer’s report was given. With no further business, Shirley closed the meeting with a poem “Energy Crisis” by Alforetta Waters. Emma Moeller was introduced. She reviewed “Wonder Girl: The Magnificent Sport Life of Babe Didrikson Zaharias” by Don Van Natta Jr. Babe, daughter of Norwegian immigrants living in Texas, was told her place in life but refused to listen. A childhood daredevil, she grew up with a full heart and a rebellious spirit. By age thirteen, she announced she would be the world’s greatest female athlete. Everyone laughed; but Babe turned out to be right. Despite attempts to keep women from competing, Babe excelled in golf, basketball, track and field, baseball, softball, tennis and bowling. She achieved All-American status in basketball. She won two gold medals and a silver in track and field at the 1932 Olympics. With unsuccessful attempts to parlay her olympic success into a career as a professional athlete, Babe turned to golf. She became the first woman to play in the PGA. She helped found the LPGA and won more consecutive tournaments than any golfer-male or female. She had a raucous sense of humor, incredible athletic ability and a ferocious desire to win. Babe became a celebrity, but all the while faced vicious attacks and gossip from those who believed women should get off the green. Her biggest challenge-one that ultimately took her life-was yet to come. In that struggle to play and win again, Babe would turn out to be a greater champion than anyone could have imagined. Members were served delicious cherry pie ala’mode with tea and coffee following the review. Jean Livingston Secretary Pro-Tem